UL - Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns softball team scored four runs on eight hits and won their first game of the 23rd Annual Louisiana Classics, 4-2, against Lipscomb on Friday night at Alfred and Helen Lamson Ragin’ Cajuns Softball Park.
The Lady Cajuns tallied four runs on eight hits, including four extra base hits.
Melissa Verde and Gabriele Bridges both connected on home runs for Louisiana, while Vallie Gaspard finished the game with a pair of doubles.
Offensively, The Lady Cajuns were led by Karli Hubbard and Gaspard. The duo both finished the game 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Bridges and Verde both made their only hits of the night count as they blasted solo home runs. Verde added a sacrifice fly to lead The Lady Cajuns with a pair of RBI.
Once again, UL received a solid pitching effort in the circle. Starting pitcher Brittany Cuevas, who improved to 1-1 on the year, scattered four hits in 5.0 innings. She did not allow an extra base hit in the game. Cuevas surrendered a pair of runs, while striking out two batters.
Cuevas was relieved in the sixth inning by Donna Bourgeois. The sophomore hurler worked 2.0 innings surrendering a hit and a walk. Bourgeois recorded her first save of the season and the third of her career.
The Ragin’ Cajuns broke the scoreless tie in the second inning. Hubbard got things started for UL with a bunt single down the first base line. She moved into scoring position with her third steal of the young season. Hubbard came home on an RBI double by Gaspard. The double was the slapper’s fifth career two-bagger.
Louisiana added a run in the third inning as Verde collected the first home run of the season for The Lady Cajuns. Verde blasted a solo home run off of the scoreboard in right center field to increase the UL lead to 2-0.
The home run was the first of the season for UL and snapped a 29-inning homerless drought.
The Lady Cajuns plated another run in the top of the fourth inning. Jessica Dupont led off the inning with a single up the middle and Erikka Murphy entered the game to run for Dupont. Gaspard’s second double of the game gave The Lady Cajuns runners on second and third with no outs. A fielder’s choice retired the lead runner, but left The Lady Cajuns with runners on the corners. Katie Smith stole her team-leading fifth base of the season to give UL a pair of runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly by Verde scored Gaspard from third and gave Louisiana a 3-0 edge.
In the fifth inning, Louisiana added one more run. Bridges connected on her first home run of the season. The bomb landed about 12 rows deep in the bleachers in left field. The home run was the 12th of Bridges’ career.
The Lady Bison scored a pair of runs in the sixth inning, but The Lady Cajuns held off the late charge and secured the 4-2 victory.
The Ragin’ Cajuns continue play at the Louisiana Classics tournament with a pair of games on Saturday. The Lady Cajuns game with Louisiana Tech at 11:30 a.m. will be televised on My KLAF. UL will take on Providence in a late game at 4:30 p.m.